Decalcomania kit for making models of aeroplanes and the like



June 7, 1960 3. PAPADAKIS 2,939,242

DECALCOMANIA KIT FOR MAKING MODELS OF AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet i Filed Dec. 4, 1957 INVENTOR. PFIPFIDFIKIS 5 HTT URNEY GFILEN June 7, 1960 cs. PAPADAKIS 2,939,242-

DECALCOMANIA KIT FOR MAKING MODELS OF AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 4, 1957 I a Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GFILEN PFIPHDFIKIS I\ E- HTTURNEY June 7, 1960 Filed Dec. 4, 1957 G. PAPADAKIS OF AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE s Sheets-Sheet s M as 32 8 L84 9H) 0 V M95 INVENTOR. GF LEN PFIPHDFIK|5 HTTURNEY United States Patent DECALCOMANIA KITFOR MAKING MODELS OF 1 AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE Galen Papadakis, 20 Vista Lane, Levittown, N.Y. Filed Dec. 4, 1957, Ser. him-700,597

1 Claim. (Cl. 46-47) This invention relates to the art of applying fitted or formed decalcomanias or so-called decals to various precut or constructed surfaces of model airplanes, ships, trains, cars, etc.

The decals in order to simulate a finished painted appearance are complete with numerals, insignia, glass panes or any other noticeable effect or detail that will aid in making a faithful replica of the model, when the decal or decals have been placed on the surface of the model being decorated.

A large number of hobbyists are concerned with the making of faithful replicas of various airplanes, ships, vehicles, etc. A considerable amount of detail goes into the making of these replicas, and it is of prime importance that the completed model be an exact duplicate, except for its size, of the full size airplane or other object of which it is intended to be a copy.

This has, of course, presentedcertain practical difiiculties, particularly with respect to the decorated model. For example, a model of a full size airplane must carry the plane markings, in respect to the numerals, insignia, etc. course, the failure to do a skilledjob of lettering or drawing detracts measurably from the, finished appearance.

In view of this, it is proposed in carrying out the present invention to provide decals, applicable to the surfaces of the model, which decals will carry the .yarious pictorial representations, insignia, numbers, etc., that are to appear on the finished model. In this way, one will be enabled to produce a life-like simulation of the full size object, without the necessity of using up an excessive Patented June 7, .1360

' manufactured in quantity to make the same commercially This requires very close and exact work, and, of

amount of time, effort, and without the further necessity ,7

of having an exceptionally high degree of skill in lettering, drawing and painting.

.-It is also proposed to provide a fitted decal for each of the various parts of the model being decorated. The decal is of one-piece construction and completely covers theformed part. Upon this surface of the decal is shown the necessary basic color of the model and upon this same surface of the decal there is.included the necessary numerals, insignia or any other, effect of detail that is necessary for that particular part ofi'the-model being decorated. p U

It is further proposed to provide decals which may be superimposed one upon another,-so that a bottom decal mayv produce one type of marking, a decal being then placed upon the bottom one soas to superimpose upon the first marking a second marking, to add even furtherto the life-like simulation of thefull size object by themodel. I V V Another object is to provide decals of the type described that can be so numbered and marked as to :faciiltate the use 'of each decal andits proper, assigned location upon the model.

form, and might be a ship, automobile,train, car, etc.

feasible in model kits.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings,

and'to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly setforth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: r

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a model airplane in its completed form, to which has been applied decals according to the present invention.

A Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of the tail portion of the fuselage and of one of the decals.

Fig. 3 is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of the model showing one of the wing tips and the associated decals.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of decal.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a second modified decal, a portion being broken away.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, plan view of one of the wing tips, on a model to be used with the decals of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a pair of small cover portions to be used to conceal the identifying and aligning markthe sheet of Fig. 10 in folded condition therein.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of another modified sheet from which various decals may be cut.

'Referring to the. drawings in detail, designated by the reference numeral 10 is a-model airplane, having the fuselage 12, upper and lower wings 14, 16, wheels 18,

propeller 20, rudder 22, and elevators24.

The illustrated model is a model of a biplane of World War I vintage: Of course, the model could have any In any event, when themodelhas been completely assembled, or for that matter prior to to its final assembly, whichever is desired by the'model maker, one finishes the exterior surfaces thereof throughthe use Off decals. Paint can be eliminatedcompletely, and, for example, the entire fuselage; if' it isto be of a'partic'ular base color, could have one, or more decals applied thereto; For example, there could 'be' decals applied to the side walls of the fuselage 12, another decal to' the' top wall, and a'fourth'decal tothe bottom wall; Th'e'se decals would be of a length, configuration, and'breadth exactly matching that of the walls, and thus when applied would eliminate completely the necessity of painting of the body. This is considered sufiiciently 'obvious "as not to require special illustration. "Finally, after the base" Afurther object is to cause the identifying markings of the decals to also serve as aligning means for assuring thatth'e' decal will be properlyplaced in respect to'the color has been imparted to the fuselage in ,the manner described, additional decal-s can be employedfforj ithe purpose of producing upon the surface offthe fuj'sela'ge; the desired insignia, numbers, or markings. Thus, a decal 26 can'be applied to the side surface of the fuselage, and

' V wing magmas. as, may e applied directl surfacesfot flieiair iane. a

"52 of 'the' mo'de numerals 542- i would hear numerical indicia 28, in a typical arrangemeht.

Additional decals may be provided upon the various surfaces of the rudder 22 andelevators 2 4. ,ltSaid decals Y. 30, so s rapt-ease, the simuiation'of i bein painted directly 7 upon the finned-pita o'identify' aiad -to guid'e tite qealfs to" whichthey are tobeusedfth wing'14; d 3 dea cals 34 may allhave a commonidentify g 'hu'riieral as shown at as, as tot -a e the humefafiiflii; p: w 'It 'will be seen' that the'idea' ofthe degialscanbecah" ried out throughout.thej entire visible surfaces ,o'fithe' model, eliminating painting completely, 'Withall the decals bing' 'cut' to a particular shape so gal to be properly' located in respect to the surfaces which they overliex The final result is a highly attractive, exceedingly faithful feplica of the full size object, with the model being *cofir p'leted withoufthe necessity of laboriouspainting ofthe body andof the various insignia, numeralgietc't In Figs. 4-6 there is shown a modification which lis" identical: to the; first form, with the exception that the guiding and'identifying numerals are employed not ohly for the purposeof relating appropriate portions of the model body andappropriatedecals' to one anotheii but also for the purpose-of proprly'alighin'g 'all the'v'ai'ious parts with each other. For example, d'ecal 40 navmg tn: Sigma 42 has at its oppositfcoifiei' s sfilalliidehtifying and aligning indicia 44. Decal 46 .cofre'spijhds toidecal 'of the first form, having 'rib markings48; Decal 46' l1'as spaced: identifying and aligning'nurri'eralsj 502 The-twihg has spacd aligni'ngj and 'ide'ntifying "folded and iiicluddin' a box or kit 78 (Fig. 11), in a suitable cut-out provided in a cardboard filler or support piece 80 of the box, along with the remaining components of the model.

In Fig. 12, a modified decal sheet 81 of'paper having decals for various partsof an airplane outlined thereon is shown. These decals are spaced so as to facilitate cuttinglfrom thesliet 1 7:6111 fdpl'ifa decal for a wing is indicated at 82 and'h'a's iiaridus indicia thereon indicating ribs 8 3,- numerals, 84,. insignia I 85 and lcolored portions 86. A decals for fuselage is'alse outlined with indicia on its": stirfae=.r'epresEntihg i'variousi elements of the fuselage. A decal "88. for a rudderanda decal 89' for a stabilizer are also 'oiitliii'ed; Decals for various miscellaneous parts of the airplane are outlined and indicated at 91, 92 and 93. The sheet may be readily folded in pla sint 29x9! kit s ch asfl bQ 7 a n in gtu.

Thefideaofth inventionican, of consent: Earricd out to any extenrdes red, it; being m inly impbr'tarit toiiote that 'th'inviiti'on does encompass the idea of substituting decals for the hand-painted surfaces heretoforefreqiiired on models, with the decals being so designed as to permit them to be su er-tm'pdsed one u on another, the several decals and the model itself haying identifying indicia which facilitates selection of the decals, and which also serve for aligni'ngof superimposed u'ecalsene with an other.

Itfl is to be understood thatth de'calc'omania may be made of anyfsiz'e anddsig'njihthfa' suitable plastic base to transfer" and; adheri-to'pla'stic, wood, metal or other models, and may be of a transfer type of'decali These decalcon'ianias maybe puton'thevarious partsof the models'prio'r tame assembly' of the-component partsl In"use,-deeaIAGisIpIaCed upon thawin -s2, and is V readily -and accurately locatedbyexactregistfatioii of'tlie numerals so with, thenumerals' 54; ot only! 'canthe decal 46 be identified i i-relation to tlie particularpart? of "the model on which -itisito be used, but also; the

' a identifying means serves' to properly position tliezdeclir I Thereafter, the decal 40 which/overlies"deci11546i. is-

. applied by exactly registering-"the filiHiBfZlS-fil- :w-ithnthe: -numetaissojj I It will be apparent:that 'thearrangenient has 'a highly V 1 dsirable resultiof exact location of .the decals,ias' well as relating all of .ajparticular set'lof decals toeachother; Iand to'the modelibfody. a i i V Thereafter, inorde'r to concealthe-nunierals ,siiiall opaque dots or'discs 56,. constitutingdeca'l portions; arev While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments army -invfition;*it' isfto 'be understood that I doubt liriii't thyself to theprecise constructions he're'in disclos'etland'th'atvarious changes and modifications'may be made witbin'th'e'scope of theinvention as' defined'in the ap ended Claim; i

l-lavifig 'thus des'crib ed' ni'y' "inventiom. what. I claim as new, ;andfdesire'ftosecure by United States .Letters-Patent In a-construction-model of -the typesold-in disassembled [cohditiofiior assembly by the' purchase'r, a plurality pf decals each of which bearsafrepresentation to be 'JfiPPlied;

to the; surface' ofa model, saididecal's'all havinga common 'identifyin" me'ans so as to'indi'ate dec'alsIwhich ar'e to be located at a si-ngl'eplace upomthe model,- said identifying;

means; being :in the form .of numeral's, with the 7 model having corresponding, ,numer'alsion its surface to show the location at which the several decals-areto beplaced superposed :position 'thereiipon, said'identif-ying numerals I being spaced-aparton each decal' so as; to provide spaced guide points' to: insure proper; placement 'ofr-the several decals in :relatioriitb themodel' and "to each; other-, and

1 other decalsf'proiiortionedto cover thekexposed identifyapplied over the numeralslgj ndhave a cololifmatchipgf that of the adjacent, 'surroundingsurface' of .themodel.

I In:Fig;'8, a, wing structure 58iof,ajmodelrnonoplane, isishown of substantially rectangular :sh apellw th rour ded nd's'and :zicritralcut-away portion'60fo'r fittingthe vying on a portion of .the fuselage of the airplane. The decal 62 isfofone-piececonstructionandisof sirnilar sh apg being'provided with various insignia 64 on its surface Fig/9 illustrates a. fragment of a' wing structure166,

with adecal-6$; appl iedto a po lion thereof. Marking's 7 0 simulating the effect of a motor, and an identifyiiig numeral.indicated 74m? providedonfthe'surfa'ce ofthe decal, such: surface preferably being colored, for example,

1 ,in Fig. 10 'there isshow'n arra mentar portion of a decal sheet, whic'li slieet' is provided with" dash markings titoseparate'thelsame ofie a tr another; .Fer ex ing numerals after assembly; said last-nam'ed decalsv being in the form of opaquepiecescolored to rfiatch adjacent areasof the'modeli ReferentcesiCited'in the tilt: of patent V [UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,396,886 1 I v Mar. 19,1946 

